In Praise of Multiplicity: Pluralism and Contemporary Photographic Art Practices

TY - JOUR

T1 - In Praise of Multiplicity

T2 - Pluralism and Contemporary Photographic Art Practices

AU - Modeen, Mary

N1 - Mary Modeen is a practising artist and senior lecturer at DJCAD, University of Dundee. She teaches undergraduates and postgraduates both fine art and interdisciplinary studies, and supervises Ph.D. candidates in interdisciplinary practice-led studies. Her research combines perception and place-based research, connecting cultural values, history and embodied experience through creative art and writing.

PY - 2013/8/1

Y1 - 2013/8/1

N2 - This article examines the practice and theory of complex, multi-layered photographic images in contemporary art. Methods of working in which photographers use the medium to explore variously memory, identity and time in images are examined, and a philosophical case is made for the mandate of plurality as a starting point for art practice, as well as the teaching of art and design. Images that beckon with implicit references are examined and compared, with implications for ‘reading’ multi-layered images. Given the attention to the Other in contemporary thought and culture, the multifaceted adoption of difference and attunement to multiculturalism suggests that perhaps multiplicity as an imaging technique – rather than single perspectives – is appropriate as an artistic device for our times.

AB - This article examines the practice and theory of complex, multi-layered photographic images in contemporary art. Methods of working in which photographers use the medium to explore variously memory, identity and time in images are examined, and a philosophical case is made for the mandate of plurality as a starting point for art practice, as well as the teaching of art and design. Images that beckon with implicit references are examined and compared, with implications for ‘reading’ multi-layered images. Given the attention to the Other in contemporary thought and culture, the multifaceted adoption of difference and attunement to multiculturalism suggests that perhaps multiplicity as an imaging technique – rather than single perspectives – is appropriate as an artistic device for our times.

KW - multiplicity, photography, ccontemporary art practice

KW - Photography

KW - Multiplicities

KW - Philosophy of praxis

U2 - 10.1386/jvap.12.2.135_1

DO - 10.1386/jvap.12.2.135_1

M3 - Article

SN - 1470-2029

VL - 12

SP - 135

EP - 147

JO - Journal of Visual Art Practice

JF - Journal of Visual Art Practice

IS - 2

ER -